No government “can restrict freedom of thought and association without having a negative effect on important human innovation,” they stressed.

Among the laureates who signed the letter were Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

In the other letter 297 mainland intellectuals, writers, activists and others petitioned Xi, the Politburo and the National People’s Congress to start legal proceedings to rectify the wrongful conviction of Liu and to stop isolating his wife.

It also called for the release of all those jailed because of their political views, expression of ideas and religious faith, and demanded an end to the surveillance of dissidents.

“The existence of prisoners of conscience does not help China establish an image of a responsible country. Ending this situation is an important criterion for China to move toward political civilization,” they said.

“China is facing many complex problems. Reform is not easy. Let’s do it together,” they added.

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